Francis Xavier was born on 7 April 1506 of a noble family in the family castle of Xavier, near Pamplona, in the north of Spain. His father, Dr Juan de Jassu, was the president of the royal council of Navarre province and its finance minister and his mother was Maria de Azpilcueta.
His first teacher was his mother. He joined the University of Paris in 1525 for his higher studies and obtained a Master's degree in Philosophy in 1530. In Paris he met Ignatius of Loyola who influenced him to understand the emptiness of worldly honour, degrees, position and possessions and drew him to serve God. He was ordained a priest on 24 June 1537 along with Ignatius. As he was studying for priesthood, he had heard of the Pearl Fishery Coast of India.
DA MIHI ANIMAS; CEIERA TOLLE
GIVE ME SOULS; THE OTHERS TAKE AWAY
Saint Francis Xavier
WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE
WORLD AND SUFFER THE LOSS OF HIS SOUL. MT 16:26
Life Events
When Ignatius had just formed his religious order, the Society of Jesus, with just 9 men, the call came from Pope Paul III, as requested by the King of Portugal, that Xavier must go to India to work as a missionary. Accordingly Xavier left for India in the ship named 'Santiago' and reached Goa in 1542 after nearly a year. Initially he worked in the Holy Spirit hospital and taught catechism.
He travelled towards Pearl Fishery Coast and reached Manapad in September 1542. This town of Manapad became the centre of his missionary activities. He worked tirelessly preaching, catechizing and organizing social activities accompanied by miracles. From here he wrote a number of letters, as many as 12 in the year 1544. As a man of great apostolic zeal he travelled much yet visited Manapad a number of times and appointed catechists to carry out his work in his absence.
He went to Colombo, Malacca, Amboina and Ternate (in Indonesia) and Japan. He made an attempt to enter China - his last ambition. Unfortunately he fell ill while waiting for permission to enter China and died on 2 Dec 1552. His incorrupt body was brought to Goa where it is kept for public veneration. His missionary thirst is crystallised in his words: Da mihi animas; cetera tolle.
S. Cruz Fernando
Manapad, India
Saint Francis Xavier
Give me souls, the rest you may take away.
